Iran's Rouhani casts nuke deal as win for nation

FILE- In this Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006 file photo, an aerial view of a heavy-water production plant in the central Iranian town of Arak. Iran's reformers and moderate conservatives welcomed an agreement between Iran and six world powers on how to implement a nuclear deal struck in November, saying i

The Associated Press

FILE- In this Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006 file photo, an aerial view of a heavy-water production plant in the central Iranian town of Arak. Iran's reformers and moderate conservatives welcomed an agreement between Iran and six world powers on how to implement a nuclear deal struck in November, saying it will shore up Iran's sanctions-hit economy but hardliners still remain opposed. The six-nation group - the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany - and Iran have agreed to start implementing the terms of the historic interim deal from Jan. 20. That will start a six-month clock for a final deal to be struck over the Islamic Republic's contested nuclear program. (AP Photo/ ISNA, Arash Khamoushi, File)

FILE- In this Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006 file photo, an aerial view of a heavy-water production plant in the central Iranian town of Arak. Iran's reformers and moderate conservatives welcomed an agreement between Iran and six world powers on how to implement a nuclear deal struck in November, saying it will shore up Iran's sanctions-hit economy but hardliners still remain opposed. The six-nation group - the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany - and Iran have agreed to start implementing the terms of the historic interim deal from Jan. 20. That will start a six-month clock for a final deal to be struck over the Islamic Republic's contested nuclear program. (AP Photo/ ISNA, Arash Khamoushi, File) (The Associated Press)

Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — President Hassan Rouhani has praised a landmark nuclear deal struck in Geneva as his country's victory, telling a home crowd it effectively means the "surrender" of Western powers to Iranian demands.

The remarks were part of the moderate Rouhani's efforts to bring around hard-liners who claim the deal tramples on Iran's enrichment rights.

Last week, the six-nation group — the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany — and Iran agreed to start implementing the terms of the November deal later this month.

Under the deal, Iran agreed to cap its uranium enrichment in return for some relief from Western economic sanctions.

Speaking Tuesday in the oil-rich province of Khuzestan, Rouhani said the "Geneva deal means the surrender of big powers before the great nation of Iran."